On Saturday, we will attend the funeral of our friend Pat Raber, one of the finest women I have ever known.  Pat was the epitome of faithfulness, generosity and simplicity.  She gave me so much through her friendship.

 Pat was a devoted child of God, wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend.  She was selfless to the point of shining!

 We were blessed to know Pat because she graced our community by becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Mercy. She espoused our charism and the Sisters who lived it, especially our elderly and infirm.

 Pat was a quiet dynamo, whose core was connected to God. That dynamism lit everything about her. Though quiet, she burned with an infinite light.

 Pray with me today, will you please, in thanksgiving for her life – a dynamic expression of God in our world.  We who loved her will miss her dearly.  But she has blessed us in ways we have yet to discover.

 I think, if you need some special courage to show God’s love and mercy in the world, Pat is a good one to ask for help.

 Rest in Mercy, dear friend!

Music: Lux Aeterna – Michael Hoppé